by Joe Wilhelm Jr.
Staff Writer
A recent road trip could lead to a more permanent one for a local judge.
Fourth Judicial Circuit Judge Waddell Wallace, 55, has been selected for consideration for a seat on the Florida Supreme Court. The Supreme Court Judicial Nominating Commission chose three candidates from which Gov. Charlie Crist will choose the next First District Court of Appeals Judge to sit on the Supreme Court. The vacancy was created when Justice Ken Bell submitted his resignation, which will go in effect in October.
Wallace was familiar with the selection process after being selected as a finalist for a Supreme Court Justice with Bell in 2002. Wallace met with the nine-person Supreme Court Judicial Nominating Commission at the Florida Bar Headquarters in Tampa on Aug. 13.
“It was kind of like an appellate court hearing with the board asking you about your background and experience,” said Wallace. “They asked me why I wanted to be on the court and if I would be able to transition from a trial judge to an appellate judge.”
Wallace is assigned to the Juvenile Division of the Fourth Judicial Circuit. He was elected to the Circuit Court in 2002 and is running unopposed in his re-election campaign.
“You always have to be prepared during an election year and we were ready to run a rigorous campaign,” said Wallace. “Fortunately, I’m running unopposed. I’m thankful for that and don’t take it for granted.”
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